Table



PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN HENRY TAYLOR, OF CHELSEA, MASSACHUSETTS.

TABLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters iPatent No. 419,978, dated January 21, 1890.

Application filed March 25, 1889. Serial No. 304,654. (No model.)

To @ZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN HENRY TAYLOR, of Chelsea, in the county of Suffolk and State of Massachusetts, a citizen of the United States, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Tables and Similar Structures, of which the following is a specication.

The object of my invention is to provide a table, shelf, or seat which, when not in use, may be automatically stowed within or against a suitable rear support-*aa for example, the wall of an apartment, and particularly such as a railway-car or passenger-elevator, where economy of space is desirable, and which can be readily pulled out into the said apartment y when desired, and when so pulled out will form a support in the nature of a table, shelf, or seat.

In the accompanying drawings I have represented a device embodying my present improvement in the form now best known to me.

In the drawings, Figure l is a View in vertical section and side elevation of such a device; Eig. 2, a plan View thereof; and Fig. 3, a detail upon an enlarged scale, as will be hereinafter explained.

My invention relates to that class of extension or folding tables formed of parallel slats or pieces flexibly connected, by means of which construction the table is adapted to be pulled out for use and also to be pushed in, the flexible connection between the slats allowing the table-top to bend and be lowered vertically in its place. Heretofore it has been proposed to form the flexible connection between the slats by gluing or otherwise securing them to a continuous iexible backing of canvas, leather, or other suitable fabric. The practical objections to this method of construction are evident, particularly the inherent tendency of the fabric backing to stretch, thus making the table, when extended, insecure and liable to be depressed when weight is put upon it, and also the liability of any fabric backing to be quickly worn out by friction or otherwise.

My present improvement relates particularly to the devices by which these objections are believed to be overcome and the article, as a whole, thus made of practical utility.

As shown in the drawings, my improved .when the table is closed.

table consists of a shelf formed of a series of abutting transverse slats. (Represented at A.) These slats are connected together by leafhinges, as represented at Fig. 3, wherein the l-leaf of each hinge is formed as a box to inclose the end of the slat, this construction not only giving increased strength, but also adding a neat finish to the edges of the table. The hinges should be so constructed and arranged that When the table is extended, as shown in Fig. lythe opposed vertical faces of the consecutive slats shall bear against each other, thereby presenting a smooth and solid table-top. A

In connection with my improved table above described I may use a leg-support B for the outer end, and the inner portion of the table may be supported by suitable brackets C C, which may be made to fall inwardly A suitable guideroller D should also be provided, over which the slats may run as the table is pushed in, and, if desired, a recess E may be formed in the wall of the apartment in which the table is used to receive the folded table-top.

I am aware, as above stated, that an extension or folding table having a flexible top, a

leg or outer support, a guide over which the table may run, and a bracket or brackets for supporting the inner portion of the table when extended is not new with me, and I lay no claim thereto herein.

I claim- In an extension folding table of the character described, a flexible extension-shelf composed of a series of parallel slats, the opposed vertical faces of which are adapted to engage when the table is drawn out, each slat being connected with the next adjacent by leafhinges, the leaves of which are formed into boxes to inclose and surround the ends of the slats, each hinge-leaf being thus secured to the slat which it support-s, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name this 22d day of March, A.

JOHN HENRY TAYLOR.

Witnesses z ALEXANDER P. BROWNE, WILLIAM B. Ron. 

